Wednesday, October 29, 20081:43:32 PM EDTALBANY CITY SCHOOLSNOVEMBER 4, ALBANY CITY VOTERS MAY VOTE FOR UP TO 2 OF 4 CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY SCHOOL BOARD.THE TIMES UNION VOTER GUIDE POSED A SINGLE QUESTION TO ALL 4; ONLY 1, DAN MCGINN, RESPONDED AS OF 1 PM OCT 29.THE QUESTION: WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FACING ALBANY'S SCHOOLS, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS IT?McGINN GOT THE ANSWER RIGHT: PROVIDING A QUALITY EDUCATION ON A ZERO BASED BUDGET. HOWEVER, LACKS SPECIFICS ON HOW TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE.CONSIDER LONERANGERALBANY'S MAY 2008 POSTING:ANOTHER ALBANY CITY SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

ANOTHER ALBANY CITY SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX INCREASEIt is May once more, and with it comes yet another Albany City School property tax increase. When will it end?More money does not translate into improved school performance.The Albany City schools are exhibit A for the maxim: MORE IS LESS. Annual per capital pupil costs are among the highest in the state, while academic performance ranks among the lowest. Albany High has a drop out rate in excess of 50 percent.School property taxes account for about 60 percent of property tax bills for homeowners in the City of Albany. They pay the freight and get little or nothing in return. The majority of the city school student population comes from homes that pay little or no property taxes.Sadly, far too many students do not want or try to learn in school. Their behavior, and lack of discipline, creates a environment that is detrimental to those students who want, and try, to learn.Only about a third of the city's housing is owner occupied. The city homeowner population is a mix of the elderly, on fixed incomes; and a growing number of single professionals. Both groups have no children in the school system, but are forced to pay for it.Homeowners ,with children, send their children, to private or parochial schools, if they can afford to. More often, than not, families with young children, sell their homes and move out of the city, rather than face the prospect of sending their children to the Albany City schools.The future of Albany depends on aggressively dealing with two interrelated conditions: (1) the growing crime and anti-social street behavior, and (2) the failure of the Albany City schools.As for city schools- costs can be reigned in and performance improved by:1. Disbanding the city school district and school board; merging the city schools with city government. Create one, NOT TWO, property tax rolls. Make the Mayor and Common Council responsible and accountable for the administration, financing and performance of the city schools.This will require a Home Rule Request to the state legislature and sponsorship of the necessary legislation by the Members of the State Senate and Assembly who represent the City of Albany.The proposition should be placed on the November 2008 election ballot, when two school board seats are up for election in the City of Albany.2. Return to a K-8 neighborhood school system in the City of Albany. Neighborhood schools are best for kids, parents and the revitilization of city neighborhoods. Student performance/behavior can be more easily monitored. Parents can more involved in the education of their children, when all attend the same school. Neighborhood schools are essential to maintaining the stability of and revitalizing city neighborhoods .Elimination of school bussing would conserve fuel, lower school budgets and result in healthier, less overweight children.The above should also appear as a November 2008 ballot question in the City of Albany. 3. Adopt and enforce a strict code of conduct and discipline for students in schools, and on city streets when traveling to and from schools. Replace gang colors/insignia with school uniforms.4. Trim top heavy school adminstrations. Make teachers responsible and accountable for city schools.More can be done, but the above is a good start. J P Sullivan

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Buckingham Park traverse Oct 26, 2008. Nice day after yesterday's rain storm. Park paths are in bad shape, particularly severe erosion at Milner Ave Foot Bridgepath, and the sloping paths at each end of Berkshire South, between Lenox and Euclid.Paths need course gavel/bluestone applied so walkers do not trip, slip and fall in wet, frosty weather. By neglecting these paths, the City of Albany is inviting law suits. We can't afford such negligence suits. They are entirely unnecessary in this case. J P Sullivan

Monday, October 06, 2008

SAVE JACK'S JOB/SAVE OUR PARKBuckingham Pond Park caretaker, Jack, does a terrific job maintainingthe park.Jack tells me that Friday will be his last day, and he won't be coming back next season because of 62 seasonal workers will be cut from the city budget.The plan is for a city crew to follow a one day a month mowing-maintenance schedule next year.This in unacceptable!Buckingham Pond Park is the centerpiece of our neighborhood. We need Jack to stay on as a seasonal caretaker.Homeowners in this neighborhood pay very high property taxes, and in turn, receive minimal city services, as compared to many other city neighborhoods.Contact Mayor Jennings immediately. Ask him to restore Jack's seasonal position as caretaker of Buckingham Pond Park, and to supplement Jack's efforts with city parks crews, as needed.Call the Mayor at 434 5100, write him at City Hall, Albany, 12207 or call in on his Friday radio show, 9-10 AM . Talk Radio 1300 AM . 476 1300.

Recommendations for Buckingham Pond Park October 6, 2008Based on a park traverse of October 3, 2008.1. Add crushed stone/gravel to pathways whereever slippery/wet spots occur, particularly East End Pond, Rafts Way sectors and the sloping pathway at thefoot of Lenox, South side.2. Trim vinesfrom trees in wooded area bordering Davis Ave, wooded areabordered by Rafts Way, and wooded path between Holmesdale and Euclid.3. Clear brush and undergrowth from around young trees in Rafts Way woodsso that these trees may mature. Transplant 3 young hemlocks to more favorablesites for growth.4. Repair split rails, remove graffiti, clean and replant flower pots on the MilnerAve pathway. Treat small holding pond, to left of path, to clear water.5. Install a metal guard rail to protect the children's play area bordering Berkshire Blvd. The current wood post/rope set up does not protect childrenand parents from out of control vehicles.6. Relocate the waste barrel from the traffic semi circle, Berkshire at Colonial, tothe children's play area, to discourage drive-by trash dumpers.7. Repair, refinish 4 wood tables in picnic grove to East of traffic semi circle.8. Plant Red Osier Dogwoods and other water tolerant plants to stabililize shoreline erosion , particulary along the northern and eastern pond shoresand the path along the south shore from Euclid to Lenox.9. Inventory wooded areas of park. Select viable young trees, including maples,locusts, and others for transplanting to favorable sites within the park, wherethose trees might mature.10. Dumping of yard wastes is evident along Raft's Way and Davis Ave. Litter also.11. Pond water quality can be improved by homeowners in the pond watershed reducing, and ideally eliminating, execessive applications of fertilizers and lawnchemicals; and the city reducing or eliminating excessive dumping of road salt onroads/streets within the pond watershed. J P Sullivan